Venezuelan migrant dies in Panama bus crash during repatriation effort

A 30-year-old Venezuelan national has died in Panama following a bus accident that occurred while he was traveling with nine other migrants. The group was reportedly part of a voluntary repatriation program.

The accident involved a transport vehicle from Panama's National Migration Service (SNM). It occurred on Wednesday afternoon near a police checkpoint in the Lago de Bayano area, approximately 100 kilometers east of the capital, Panama City. Details surrounding the exact cause of the crash have not been released.

In addition to the ten migrants, five Migration Service officials were on board the bus. While the Venezuelan man succumbed to his injuries, the remaining passengers are reported to be stable and are receiving medical care in various hospitals. The identities of the other migrants have not been disclosed.

The bus was en route to a temporary migrant shelter in Darién, a province bordering Colombia known for its challenging jungle terrain. Darién has historically been a major transit point for migrants heading towards the United States. This repatriation initiative is part of a broader effort, partly funded by the U.S., aimed at addressing the migrant crisis in the region and facilitating voluntary returns.